Cowboys safety Jeff Heath went from being the hero to the goat in a matter of moments. (Getty)
Final Score
Dallas Cowboys 3-3-0-0 — 6
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0-3-0-7 — 10
Jameis Winston Leads Bucs to Win at Home over Dallas
Jameis Winson and the Bucs got it done in the fourth quarter at home. (Getty)
Jameis Winston scored the game-winning touchdown with under a minute to play and the Buccaneers beat the Cowboys, 10-7 at home on Sunday afternoon.
Winston scored the touchdown just one play after his fumble at the goal line almost cost his team the game. The fumble was nullified after Cowboys safety Jeff Heath was called for a holding penalty. Winston took a bootleg rolling right and easily walked into the end zone on the ensuing play. The Buccaneers (4-5) won for their third time in the last five games, while Dallas (2-7) dropped its seventh straight contest.
After starting off poorly, Winston finished the game 22-39 for 264 yards and two interceptions, both picks were recorded by eventual Dallas goat Heath.
Despite three drops, Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans led the way for the Bucs with eight catches for 126 yards. Cowboys quarterback Matt Cassel went 19-30 for 186 yards and an interception. Cassel and the Cowboys couldn’t get anything at all going on offense after kicker Dan Bailey missed his first field goal in 22 tries in the second quarter. In their ensuing final six possessions, Dallas punted five times and Cassel threw a game-ending interception in the end zone.
Jameis Winston Scores Touchdown With Under a Minute to Play
Jameis Winston strolled in for a 1-yard score to put Tampa Bay on top over Dallas, 10-7, with under a minute to play in the game.
Winston’s score happened just seconds after his fumble on the goal line was negated by Cowboys safety Jeff Heath’s holding penalty.
Jameis Winston’s Fumble at Goal Line Called Back
Jameis Winston flipped toward the end zone with just over a minute to play, losing the ball mid air. His fumble, which was recovered initially by Dallas, was called back after a penalty was called by Cowboys safety Jeff Heath.
Cowboys Edging Buccaneers at the Half in Tampa
Dallas is looking for its first win in seven tries. (Getty)
Dallas leads 6-3 at the half in a battle of field goals in Tampa Bay.
An at times sloppy first half between Tampa Bay and Dallas saw neither team turn the ball over, nor either team get into the end zone. Each team’s placekicker missed a field goal, with the Cowboys’ Dan Bailey seeing his 21 straight field goal streak broken.
Matt Cassel, starting his fourth game for Dallas, managed the game effectively in the opening half, going 12-16 for 101 yards. Tampa Bay signal caller Jameis Winston struggled a bit, going 7-16 for 77 yards and a crushing interception at the end of the half, negating a promising Buccaneers drive. After Bailey missed his field goal attempt, Tampa Bay took over on their own 38, driving 36 yards before Winston’s pass over the middle sailed high and was picked off by Dallas safety Jeff Heath.
Darren McFadden led the way for the Cowboys on the ground with 10 carries for 28 yards, while the Bucs’ Doug Martin carried it seven times, six on the Bucs’ second possession, for 37 yards. The leading receivers for each team were Dallas’s Dez Bryant with 4 receptions for 41 yards and Tamp Bay’s Mike Evans with four catches for 57 yards.
Dan Bailey Hits 21st Straight Field Goal Putting ‘Boys Back on Top
Dan Bailey is two-for-two on the day. (Getty)
Cowboys kicker Dan Bailey hit a 53-yard field goal to put Dallas up over Tampa Bay in the second quarter, 6-3. It was Bailey’s 21st consecutive made field goal.
Connor Barth Bangs Long Field Goal to Tie Game for Tampa
Connor Barth has tied it up. (Getty)
A Doug Martin-fueled 46-yard drive stalled, leading to a Connor Barth 52-yard field goal make, and the Bucs have tied the game at 3 apiece. Martin had six carries for 38 yards on the drive.
Dan Bailey Hits FG to Put ‘Boys on Top in Tampa
Dan Bailey and Dallas have an early lead. (Getty)
Dan Bailey hit a 42-yard field goal to put Dallas up 3-0 early.
Game Preview
Bucs head coach Lovie Smith feels his young team is starting to put it all together. (Getty)
The Dallas Cowboys haven’t won a game since September. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers haven’t won back-to-back games all season long. Each team will have something to play for on Sunday afternoon at Raymond James Stadium in Week 10 when the Bucs host Dallas.
In what will likely be the Cowboys’ last game with Matt Cassel under center and before Tony Romo returns, Dallas will look to win their first game in seven tries. Tampa Bay has been inconsistent, but they feel they have hope with the resurgence of running back Doug Martin and quarterback Jameis Winston’s improved ball-control ability.
Check back here for live scoring updates, stats and highlights throughout the game.
